Chapter 499: A Contest Between Men

Qin Yuan also laughed.

Hong Ye asked curiously, "What are you two laughing about?"

Cui Ming said, "You’ll find out soon enough."

After a while.

The person gathering news reported back, saying the Marquis would be returning shortly.

Qin Yuan then hastily embroidered a few stitches and quickly created a wing.

When Marquis Gu returned and saw his young wife sitting by the window dedicatedly embroidering his undershirt, a smile spread across his face, and he said, "Has Madam chosen the design?"

Upon hearing his voice, Qin Yuan lifted her head.

Marquis Gu reached through the window to take the embroidery hoop and praised, "These stitches are fine and the design is beautiful."

"As long as you like it," Qin Yuan softly replied, "It’s worth my and Cui Ming’s several days of deliberation to choose it."

Upon hearing this, Marquis Gu looked again, contemplating for a while.

"Such a small design, yet it’s immediately recognizable as a winged horse. Madam truly has exquisite taste."

He returned the embroidery hoop with anticipation, "Once I wear it, let’s see what General Jin has left to brag about."

This was to challenge General Jin.

Qin Yuan embroidered a few more stitches and said, "Madam Jin told me while drunk that at home, she makes General Jin kneel, and General Jin dares not stand. Moreover, I observed Madam Jin... doesn’t seem skilled in fine needlework."

Gu Jinghui’s proud expression froze on his face.

Making his rebellious yet handsome face appear somewhat foolish.

After a long while, he said, "You’re saying General Jin is deceiving me?"

Good heavens!

How dare he fool his superior.

He truly has a death wish.

Qin Yuan whispered, "Perhaps he didn’t deceive you, it’s just not Madam Jin who embroidered it."

Marquis Gu paused again.

If it’s not Madam Jin’s work, then it must be embroidered by General Jin’s concubine.

Marquis Gu hurriedly jumped into the room from outside.

"Yuan’er, I have absolutely no intention of taking a concubine, believe me. I am not like General Jin."

Qin Yuan sighed, "I believe you, definitely not now."

They haven’t consummated their marriage yet, and he’s already thinking of taking a concubine?

Just watching idly?

What a joke.

Marquis Gu quickly said, "There won’t be any in the future either."

Even though Qin Yuan repeatedly said she wouldn’t oppose him taking a concubine, Marquis Gu understood very well that no woman liked her husband taking a concubine.

Nor could she tolerate her husband favoring a concubine, disrespecting his wife.

Qin Yuan put down the embroidery hoop.

"Let’s not talk about this anymore. Yesterday, mother cried a lot, Doctor Li came to see, and prescribed some medicine. I plan to accompany mother for lunch, but she said Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching with so many things to do, so I don’t need to rush over. There’s also the change in the inner courtyard housekeeper and accountant, I must inform mother. Why not visit her during dinner?"

Marquis Gu nodded, "That’s when we can tell mother about Wild Donkey Mansion being burned down."

Qin Yuan thought for a moment, then asked, "Then?"

Marquis Gu got her hint and said, "It’s fine to tell mother, but leave out everyone else."

Qin Yuan agreed.

The two held hands and went to the main house together.

As they left the courtyard, Marquis Gu came back to his senses and said, "General Jin wears an undershirt embroidered by his concubine, while mine is embroidered by my wife. Ha ha. What is General Jin comparing with me?"

Making Madam Jin embroider something, who knows how much effort General Jin has to exert.

Moreover, if she does embroider, can it look better than what Yuan’er did?

Marquis Gu was eagerly anticipating wearing the undershirt, flaunting it in front of General Jin, letting him thoroughly experience the envy he once felt.

Qin Yuan chuckled softly, remaining silent.

She actually intended to have Cui Ming continue with the embroidery...

However, since she started the work, essentially, it was her embroidery, no doubt about it.

Besides, most men wouldn’t notice the stitches.

The two arrived at the main house, and upon spotting them, Nanny Rong said, "The Old Madam and the young master and young miss are together, they’ve just been feeling better."

This implied not to mention any bad news.

Qin Yuan nodded, "We’re here to join for a meal, and also, since the housekeeper and head accountant of the inner courtyard have changed, we have to inform mother."

"Who has changed?"

Old Madam Gu asked from inside the room, through the curtain.

A young maid quickly lifted the curtain, and Qin Yuan smiled, walking in, "Mother, the housekeeper and head accountant of the inner courtyard have changed."

Overnight, Old Madam Gu seemed to have aged ten years.

Qin Yuan sighed inwardly.

Wondering how the elder endured through the hardships in past years.

Old Madam Gu furrowed her brows in thought and said, "It seems they committed some wrongdoings, you mentioned before."

Qin Yuan replied, "Isn’t that right? Housekeeper Han and Housekeeper Cao both recommended Accountant Wan. Marquis Gu and I personally tested him, finding him quite talented. The inner courtyard’s housekeeper is promoted Deputy Steward Qian, and since mother needs to rest, we’ve let them come another day to pay respects."

Old Madam Gu raised her brow and asked Nanny Rong, "Which family is Accountant Wan from?"

Nanny Rong smiled, "You forgot, he is from the Wan family in charge of finances. There’s only a young son at home, quite ill, who hasn’t been on the battlefield but works in the mansion."

Qin Yuan said, "Now his health is slightly better, and he’s raising his brother’s two children."

Old Madam Gu said, "Ah, it turns out it’s from his family. That child’s health isn’t good, he should have Doctor Li treat him. Doctor Li is quite capable; I’ve heard that Old Lady Qi’s eyes are almost healed."

Qin Yuan then said, "Mother, Marquis Gu has already agreed to invite Doctor Li to treat him."

Old Madam Gu said, "That’s good, Hui’er, never forget those who fought with us, bled for the Gu family."

Gu Jinghui said, "Mother, this child will never dare forget."

"That’s good," Old Madam Gu said, "our Gu Family bled for Daxing. Without remembering us, it brings much chills. They bled for us, so we cannot forget."

"Yes!"

Gu Jinghui answered loudly, "Mother, rest assured, I won’t let our Gu Family’s blood be shed in vain!"

If the Holy Emperor forgets, he’ll make the Holy Emperor remember.

If others don’t grant him justice, he’ll find a way to claim it himself.

Old Madam Gu glanced at Nanny Rong, who then led everyone else out and closed the door before Old Madam Gu asked, "Was it you who burned down the Hostage Mansion yesterday?"

Marquis Gu grinned, "Turns out mother already knows."

"How could I not know you?"

Old Madam Gu said, "Be careful, it’s never good to get caught red-handed."

"Don’t worry," Marquis Gu’s eyes sparkled, "I not only burned down the Hostage Mansion, but also emptied their treasures. Yuan’er already said, they wouldn’t dare reveal where their money came from."

Old Madam Gu looked at Qin Yuan, warmly saying, "I intended for you to persuade him, but you ended up helping him."

Qin Yuan said with a smile, "Sharing husband’s direction, besides, the Yelv Clan deserves some lessons. I was just about to ask mother how to spend this money."

"Already thinking about spending it?" Marquis Gu wondered, "I haven’t even counted the exact amount yet, and you’re already planning on how to spend it?"

Old Madam Gu was also a bit disapproving.